It is recommended that the City Council adopt Article 33 to Chapter 9 of the Fresno Municipal Code, which allows seven medicinal cannabis retail businesses the first year, and then seven more cannabis retail businesses after the first year, which may be adult use, as well as commercial cannabis businesses.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Cannabis Subcommittee brought forth Cannabis Regulatory Ordinances on December 6, 2018, for introduction. This ordinance has been updated to reflect Council direction.

No Commercial Cannabis Business Permits can be issued until a Text Amendment to the Zoning Code is adopted, the Cultivation Ordinance is amended, and these actions are environmentally assessed.

ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS

This action is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 26055(h) of the California Business and Professions Code because it is the adoption of an ordinance by a local jurisdiction that requires discretionary review and approval of permits to engage in commercial cannabis activity. Commercial cannabis activity cannot be commenced under the proposed ordinances until a Cannabis CUP is obtained, which will require and environmental assessment.

FISCAL IMPACT

Commercial Cannabis Business Permit fees will include the permittee’s share of the cost of developing the regulations and the environmental review. Additionally, with the passage of Measure A and adoption of tax rates, these businesses will generate substantial revenue to the City, as much as $10 million per year once dispensaries and cultivation, manufacturing, distribution and lab testing businesses are open.